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Oando, Plateau SUBEB Bridge Gaps in Early Childhood Education

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Early Childhood Education

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A move aimed to address critical gaps in early childhood education to improve access to quality childhood development and early learning opportunities has been made by the Oando Foundation and the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The two organisations collaborated to bridge the gaps through infrastructure upgrades, provision of grade-appropriate instructional aids, and teacher capacity strengthening.

Oando Foundation, a leading advocate for quality education in Nigeria, is carrying out this intervention through the advanced Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programme in 10 schools across the state.

The Programmes Manager for Oando Foundation, Ms Tonia Uduimoh, said, “We aim to support young learners with the right learning environment and necessary learning tools to thrive.

“This is essential as the first five years of a child’s life are vital for cognitive development and their experiences through these early years form the foundation for lifelong learning.

“As a foundation, we believe that Nigeria’s ability to capitalize on the prosperity embedded in its people requires focused investments in human capital, starting at the early years as a critical foundation.”

Leveraging strategic partnership with Plateau SUBEB, the foundation has expanded the reach of its ECCD intervention to 10 schools across the state, including Obasanjo Model Schools A–C, Army Children School, Pilot Science Primary School, Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, and Jos Kufam Primary School, among others.

The schools have been upgraded with fully functional ECCD classes, including interactive literacy and numeracy corners, gross motor skills sections, and instructional materials, among others.

Through an immersive training experience, educators were equipped with the tools, strategies, and pedagogical approaches needed to foster quality early childhood learning.

To date, the Oando Foundation has upgraded 21 early childcare centres, benefiting over 4,851 children. This initiative is part of the foundation’s broader LEARNOVATE strategy that prioritizes innovation and investments in foundational learning, creating better life opportunities for children and youth through equitable, quality, and climate-sensitive education.

Early childhood development is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4.2.1, which aims to ensure that by 2030, all children have equitable access to quality early childhood development and learning opportunities.

In Nigeria, ECCD faces significant challenges including inadequate funding, teacher capacity gaps, and poor implementation of national policies on integrated early childhood development.

According to the National Population Commission of Nigeria, only 10 per cent of children aged 3-5 have access to pre-primary education, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced support and investment in ECCD.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

Education

International Scholars to Chronicle Life of Nigerian Historian Kenneth Dike

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Emmanuella Agayapong Jy’Quan Stewart

By Adedapo Adesanya

The duo of Emmanuella Agayapong, an industrial economics expert from Accra, Ghana, and Jy’Quan Stewart, an American writer and historian, are co-authoring a new biography titled The Biography of Kenneth Dike: Nigerian Pioneer in a rare cross-continental collaboration effort.

This forthcoming work aims to illuminate the life and legacy of Kenneth Onwuka Dike, a seminal figure in African historiography and Nigeria’s first indigenous Vice-Chancellor.

Kenneth Onwuka Dike (1917–1983) was instrumental in redefining African historical studies. He championed the decolonization of African history, emphasizing the importance of indigenous perspectives and oral traditions in historical research.

Dike’s tenure as the first Nigerian Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan marked a significant milestone in the nation’s academic development.

His efforts led to the establishment of the Nigerian National Archives and the Historical Society of Nigeria, institutions crucial for preserving the continent’s rich heritage.

The biography will delve into Dike’s early life in Awka, Nigeria, his academic pursuits across institutions like Fourah Bay College and the University of Aberdeen, and his pivotal role in promoting African leadership in scholarly works.

By chronicling his journey, the authors aim to shed light on Dike’s enduring impact on African historiography and higher education.

Emmanuella Agayapong brings a unique analytical perspective to the project, intertwining her expertise in industrial economics with a deep-seated passion for history and economic development. Jy’Quan Stewart, known for his dedication to uncovering unsung stories, contributes his extensive experience in historical research and advocacy.

Their partnership exemplifies an innovative approach to self-publishing, aiming to reach a global audience and inspire future generations.

This collaboration not only honors Kenneth Dike’s legacy but also sets a new precedent for international literary partnerships. By combining diverse perspectives and expertise, Agayapong and Stewart are poised to offer readers a comprehensive and insightful narrative of a man who reshaped the understanding of African history.

Emmanuella Agayapong is an industrial economics expert based in Accra, Ghana. With a passion for history and economic development, she brings a unique analytical perspective to the book.

Jy’Quan Stewart is an American writer and historian dedicated to uncovering unsung stories. His experience in historical research and advocacy makes him a vital voice in documenting Kenneth Dike’s legacy.

Together, Agayapong and Stewart are breaking new ground in self-publishing, demonstrating the power of international collaboration in historical literature.

Kenneth Dike

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Education

Hydrogen Donates to Ikosi High School Lagos

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Hydrogen Payment Services Company Ikosi High School

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A company fostering financial and technological inclusion, Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited, has donated some items to Ikosi Senior High School, Ketu, Lagos.

The company partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Education District II to provide a 5KVA solar-powered inverter system to the school.

In addition, the school had its water outlet area renovated to improving both its aesthetics and hygiene in line with Hydrogen’s commitment to enhancing learning environments.

Further, it donated some textbooks to the school library, ensuring they have the academic resources needed for a well-rounded education.

Also, the firm invested in the future of the students by equipping them with essential digital skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Through expert-led, interactive sessions, students were introduced to key tech-driven career paths, including Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Software Development, Payment Technology, Product Management and Design, Sales and Business Development, Customer Experience, Digital Marketing, and Project Management.

According to Hydrogen, this comprehensive initiative reinforces its commitment to bridge the digital divide, fostering financial and technological inclusion, and preparing the next generation for the future of work, calling on all stakeholders to join in igniting potential, fostering financial and technological inclusion, and shaping the future of Africa’s digital economy.

It stated that by merging sustainability with digital education and academic support, it is ensuring students not only have access to reliable infrastructure and learning materials but also the knowledge and skills to navigate the global digital economy.

“At Hydrogen, we believe sustainability is about more than just environmental responsibility, but about investing in people, communities, and the future we are building together.

“This initiative is a comprehensive investment in young minds, ensuring they have both the resources and the skills to lead Africa’s digital transformation,” the Business Head for Payment Switching and Processing at Hydrogen, Fiyinfoluwa Olorunsola, said.

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Education

GOMYCODE Offers Master’s Degree in Software Engineering in Nigeria

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GOMYCODE Woolf University

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A leading technology education provider, GOMYCODE, has partnered with a global collegiate higher education institution, Woolf University, to offer a Master of Science in Computer Science with a Specialization in Software Engineering.

This provides an opportunity for aspiring and established tech professionals in Nigeria to hone their skills at GOMYCODE, with a globally recognised certificate to show for it.

The institution disclosed that the program’s online and flexible structure caters to the demands of working professionals, enabling them to balance their studies with existing commitments.

Students will benefit from Woolf University’s rigorous academic standards and GOMYCODE’s practical, industry-relevant approach to learning.

This is because the Master’s program is designed to empower busy professionals and ambitious individuals with advanced skills and qualifications, opening doors to global job opportunities and facilitating potential emigration for those seeking international careers.

This Master of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering program is ideal for tech professionals seeking to enhance their qualifications, individuals aiming for global job opportunities, those considering emigration and requiring advanced degrees, and ambitious individuals looking to accelerate their career growth.

“In today’s competitive tech landscape, advanced degrees are increasingly essential. This partnership allows us to provide a flexible, world-class education that empowers our students to achieve their career aspirations, whether they seek to excel locally or on a global stage,” the co-founder of GOMYCODE, Yahya Bouhlel, stated.

Also commenting, the Head of Strategy and Growth at Woolf University, Naveen Jangir, said, “Our mission is to democratize education, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of providing accessible, accredited degrees to learners worldwide. We believe this program will equip Nigerian tech professionals with the skills and credentials they need to thrive in the global economy.”

On his part, the Country Head of GOMYCODE in Nigeria, Mr Babatunde Olaifa, said, “By offering a globally recognized Master’s degree, we are empowering our professionals to compete on a global scale, giving people an opportunity to level up their careers, and to open doors that they previously thought were closed. We are very excited to see the impact that this program will have on the lives of our students and the broader Nigerian tech community.”

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